Doug Ross @ Journal: Larwyn's Linx: “A conspiracy so immense” -- Ideological commitment and the timidity of pragmatic politics

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QOTD: "Since Obama took office the US spent almost $600 million to combat Islamic militancy across North Africa. In countries like Mali and Niger US forces trained local soldiers in counterterrorism skills. Arms and equipment were bought so local governments could protect their territories. This strategy, in theory, would protect North Africa from falling into the hands of Islamist militants—who would impose strict Sharia rule on unwilling locals and use lawless territory to launch attacks on Western targets—without involving a heavy deployment of American troops like in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That was the theory. But as heavily armed Islamist militants battle French forces in the Battle for Mali, it’s clear Obama’s strategy to help weak North African states protect themselves from terrorists has failed catastrophically...

...The [New York] Times story underlines the point Via Meadia has been making for some time: the intervention in Libya set off consequences the administration neither understood nor prepared for. " --Walter Russell Mead, "NYT Calls US Anti-Terror Strategy in North Africa a Catastrophe"

2 comments:

Barry Popik said...: Today's negative link--The Worst Link in the World--once again goes to The Maddow Blog. It's short enough to quote in full:

"This is climate change. And it’s not a political concept; it’s a practical concept. It’s not debatable and not ideological or philosophical; it is reality-based."
By Laura Conaway
Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:27 PM EST.
-- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, talking about Superstorm Sandy with Rachel in the new Gotham magazine.

The Rachel Maddow thinks this demonstrates something good about Andrew Cuomo, but he's shown himself this year to be just another liberal fascist thug. His new NY gun law was passed last night by legislators who weren't even allowed to read the bill.

Superstorm Sandy is evidence of climate change, Andy? If it rains, is that climate change? If it doesn't rain, is that climate change? Did you take a single course in environmental science in school?

It's not debatable--not even among scientists? How about if I declare that it's raining out, so the Democrats must win every election forever, no debate?

The Maddow Blog (and NY Governor Andrew Cuomo), again dishonorable "winners" of The Worst Link in the World.; 6:33 PM
directorblue said...: But, Barry, I'm sooo confused! Is it climate change or globull warming???

Please help me,

Signed, Confused Progressive.; 6:42 PM